In a decisive show of force, India has significantly bolstered its military presence along the Siliguri Corridor — a narrow, strategically vital land strip in West Bengal, often dubbed the "Chicken’s Neck" — amid escalating concerns over Bangladesh’s growing alignment with China.
Once a vulnerable chokepoint, the corridor is now transforming into what defence officials call India's "strongest defence line", following a series of high-level military deployments, advanced weapons systems, and intensified operational drills aimed at securing the region from emerging geopolitical threats.
The Indian Armed Forces have rolled out a multi-layered defence strategy to safeguard the corridor, which links India’s northeastern states with the mainland — a region critically exposed to foreign influence and potential isolation in the event of conflict.
Key components of this security ramp-up include:
Advanced Weaponry: Rafale fighter jets have been deployed to the Hashimara Airbase, alongside a regiment of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, fortifying India’s aerial and ground strike capabilities.
Air Defence Shield: The powerful S-400 missile defence system now operates in the region, supplemented by MRSAMs and Akash air defence systems, forming a formidable umbrella against aerial incursions.
Combat Readiness: The Trishakti Corps, headquartered near the corridor, is conducting continuous live-fire drills with T-90 tanks and infantry units to ensure peak operational preparedness.
General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, recently conducted an on-ground review of the defence posture, emphasizing New Delhi’s determination to defend the corridor at all costs.
The move comes against the backdrop of Dhaka’s deepening engagement with Beijing, particularly through strategic infrastructure talks under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Bangladesh remains an essential partner in regional connectivity efforts like the BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) initiative, its warming ties with China have alarmed Indian policymakers.
India’s concerns were further stoked by remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, hinting at a possible realignment of strategic interests. Though vague, his reference to India's northeast has been interpreted in New Delhi as a diplomatic signal toward diversifying partnerships, potentially including China.
The Siliguri Corridor first gained international attention during the 2017 Doklam standoff, when Indian forces blocked Chinese attempts to construct a road near the trijunction of India, Bhutan, and China — a move that could have imperiled the corridor’s security. Since then, India has heavily fortified the region, recognizing it as a geopolitical linchpin.
Analysts warn that any disruption in the Siliguri Corridor could severely cripple India’s ability to access and protect its northeastern territories, effectively isolating over 45 million people from the mainland.
As China extends its influence deeper into South Asia and Bangladesh appears increasingly receptive, the Siliguri Corridor is becoming not just a strategic vulnerability, but a potential flashpoint. With India’s firm military posture now firmly in place, the region sits at the confluence of diplomacy and deterrence — a narrow neck that may decide the broader balance of power in South Asia.
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